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Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a device for preventing movements of dishing goods in a dishwasher basket, and a dishwasher basket comprising the device according to 5 the invention.

Background of the invention

Dishwashers are frequently used household machines in order to facilitate the daily work in private homes and restaurants. Dishwasher for use in households comprises a 10 washing chamber that is accessed via an opening in the front side of the dishwasher and closed by a movable door. Dirty items are arranged in the washing chamber, normally in one or more baskets, and when the dishwasher is activated sprayed by water that is circulated in the washing chamber to clean the items packed in the basket or baskets.

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In order to facilitate the loading and unloading of items from the dishwasher

extractable baskets are arranged in the washing chamber. The baskets are either supported on wheels rolling on the inside surface of the door when the door is opened, or supported on guide rails arranged in the washing chamber. A number of 20 plates, pots and glasses could be packed side by side in the basket, or baskets, for

simultaneous dishing in the dishwasher. Each storage baskets comprises a number of tines extending upwards from a basket bottom to support the different items packed in the basket, and make it possible to pack as much dishing goods in the basket as possible.

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However, during extraction / retraction of the basket, circular plates standing upright between the tines often is moved in the basket since the circular plates roll on the basket bottom. These movements generate a disorder of the items within the basket which makes it more complicated to pack further items in the basket, and in worst case damages to the items within the basket when they hit each other or the wires of the basket.

There is consequently a need for improved storage solutions and storage devices that maintain the dishing goods in the desired position and prevent movements of dishing goods packed in extractable baskets in a dishwasher.

Summary of the invention

The present invention, defined in the appended claims, provides a device for preventing movements of dishing goods in a dishwasher basket that to at least some extent fulfils the needs defined above.

The device according to the invention is intended to prevent movements of dishing goods in a dishwasher basket and comprises:

at least one elongated member with a longitudinal axis (L) and an axial length of at least the distance between two adjacent tines, wires or rods of the basket, said elongated member comprising a dishing goods support surface arranged on the elongated member; and

at least two holding means arranged along the elongated member, each holding means comprising a body with a recess,

wherein the device is intended to be arranged substantially parallel to a row of tines with the recesses of the holding means fitted to the tines, wires or rods of the basket such that an additional dishing goods support surface substantially parallel to the row of tines is provided in the basket.

The device, when correctly fitted in the basket, provides an additional dishing goods support surface that will block plates and other goods packed in an upright position between the tines from rolling around in the basket during extraction / retraction of the basket. The device will provide a very efficient blocking device since the elongated member, and consequently the dishing goods support surface, is arranged transverse to the plane of the plates packed substantially vertically between the tines and thereby prevent the plates or dishing goods from rolling on outer periphery over the basket bottom. Preferably the basket comprises two parallel rows of tines and one device according to the invention arranged along each of the rows of tines in order to provide support for the plates or dishing goods packed vertically between the tines in both the forward or reverse direction.

The axial length of the elongated member could be adapted to different needs. For example the elongated member could extend across almost the entire basket to provide support for a number of plates packed in the basket, or only extend across a part of the basket where the additional support is desired. The device is either fitted on the tines, or on the wires or rods that are forming the bottom or side walls of the basket.

In one embodiment of the device, the recesses has a shape and size corresponding to the cross sectional shape of the tines, rods or wires. This embodiment ensures that the device is maintained in the desired position within the basket even though it is exposed to considerable loads during extraction / retraction of the basket.

In one embodiment of the device, the recesses comprises an inner surface that has a texture and/or a coating that increases the friction between the inner surface of the recess and the tines, wires or rods to ensure that the device remains in the intended position along the tine, wire or rod.

In one embodiment of the device, the elongated member is substantially straight and rigid. This embodiment is very favourable for supporting a number of plats or dishing goods with substantially equal diameter since the straight rigid member will provide support and prevent movements of the entire row of plates or dishing goods.

In one embodiment of the device, the holding means are snap fitted on the tines, wires or rods. The snap fitting of the device to the basket facilitates the fitting as well as the removal of the device depending on the particular dishing goods packed in the basket.

In one embodiment of the device, the recesses are shaped like holes extending substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis L through the body, said holding means are intended to be slipped on the tines. This embodiment is favourable since the holding means are very durable and provide a reliably securing of the device on the tines. This embodiment, in combination with the previously described embodiment with an inside surface of the recess that provides the desired friction to the tines, furthermore makes it possible to arrange the device at a different heights along the tines and thereby increase the flexibility of the device since the position of the additional dishing goods support surface could be moved accordingly.

In one embodiment of the device, the body, along the direction of the hole transverse to the longitudinal axis L, has a length within the range of 10 mm and 50 mm. A body with a dimension within this range will be able to withstand the loads from the dishing goods during extraction / retraction of the basket and thereby provide the desired durable support of the dishing goods. In one embodiment of the device, the holding means comprises a spacing member extending between the body and the elongated member, said spacing member is extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L such that the elongated member is arranged displaced from the body. This embodiment improves the device further since the spacing member makes it possible to position the elongated member and the dishing goods support surface displaced a predetermined distance from the row of tines, alternatively elevated above the bottom of the basket to a position where the movements of the dishing goods could be prevented in an efficient way. The invention furthermore relates to a dishwasher basket comprising:

a basket bottom formed of wires or rods,

a number of tines arranged along at least one row in the basket, said tines extend upwards from the basket bottom; and

at least one device according to anyone of the embodiments described above for preventing movements of dishing goods in the dishwasher basket removably arranged in the basket such that a dishing goods support surface substantially parallel to the row of tines is provided in the basket. In one embodiment of the dishwasher basket, the longitudinal axis L of the elongated member is arranged substantially horizontally in the basket. This embodiment is very favourable for supporting a number of plats or dishing goods with substantially equal diameter since the straight rigid member will provide support and prevent movements of the entire row of plates or dishing goods

In one embodiment of the dishwasher basket, the additional dishing goods support surface is arranged above the bottom of the basket. This embodiment is favourable since dishing goods with a circular shape, for example plates, requires a support surface elevated above the bottom of the basket to prevent movements during extraction / retraction in an efficient way.

The different embodiment described above could of course be combined and modified in different ways without departing from the scope of the invention that will be described more in detail in the detailed description.

Brief description of the drawings

Different embodiments of a device according to the present invention are illustrated in the appended figures.

Figure 1 illustrates a perspective schematic view of a dishwasher.

Figure 2 illustrates the interior design of the washing chamber in a dishwasher.

Figure 3a illustrates an exploded view of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention and selected parts of the dishwasher basket.

Figure 3b illustrates the device in 3 a arranged in the basket.

Figure 4a illustrates an exploded view of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention and selected parts of the dishwasher basket.

Figure 4b illustrates the device in 4a arranged in the basket. Detailed description

In figure 1, a perspective schematic view of dishwasher 10 is illustrated. The dishwasher comprise a washing chamber 11 surrounded by a substantially rectangular cabinet 12. The washing chamber 11 comprises an opening 15 in the front side of the dishwasher in order to make the washing chamber 11 accessible during loading and unloading of items in and from the washing chamber. The opening 15 is closed by a door 13 in order to make it possible to access, and close, the opening 15 of the washing chamber 11. Within the washing chamber 11, an upper 16a and lower basket 16b for dirty items are arranged at different heights. The baskets are extractably arranged in the washing chamber and formed of thin elements like for example wires or rods in order to provide a basket structure that the water could flow through easily. The dishwasher 10, illustrated in figure 1, comprises two wire baskets 16 arranged on guide rails 17. The lower one is normally used for larger dishing goods like plates, pots etc, and the upper one for cups, glasses and smaller items. The number of baskets could however be increased further to comprise for example a third basket for small dishing goods and cutleries arranged in the top of the washing chamber. When the dishing goods are loaded in the baskets 16a and 16b, the dishwasher is activated and the selected washing program started. Heated water, in combination with detergent, is circulated in the washing chamber by a water circulating system comprising at least a water pump connected to at least one rotating spray arm 8 arranged in the washing chamber in order to clean the dishing goods in the baskets and the cutlery rack. In figure 2, a schematic illustration of the interior design of the space within the dishwasher washing chamber described above is illustrated. The lower basket 16b has a substantially rectangular shape with four side walls 18b extending in substantially vertical direction from a basket bottom 19b arranged substantially horizontal within the dishwasher. From the bottom 19b of the lower basket, a number of tines 20 extend upwards. The tines 20 are arranged along straight rows to support dishing goods, i.e. plates, in an upright position along the row. This configuration makes it possible to pack several plates side by side in the basket. Unfortunately, dishing goods with a substantially round shape tend to roll on the basket bottom 19b when exposed to loads during extraction / retraction of the basket. The rolling dishing goods causes disorder in the basket and could in the worst case result in damaged articles. There are several different interior designs possible but the general idea is to make it possible to store as much dishing goods as possible in a simple and efficient way still ensuring that the water circulating in the washing chamber is allowed to pass between adjacent items and clean each of the items. In figure 2, two devices 30 according to the present invention arranged along the rows of tines 20 are illustrated. In figure 3a, a first embodiment of a device 30 for preventing movements of dishing goods in a dishwasher basket is illustrated. The device 30 comprises a substantially straight elongated member 31 with a longitudinal axis L. The axial length of the member is adapted to the size and design of the basket, and the needs for additional support for dishing goods in the basket. Along the entire member a dishing goods support surface 32 is formed on the outer periphery of the member 31. The shape of the support surface 32 is either substantially flat, or curved, depending on the cross sectional shape of the elongated member that for example is circular, oval, rectangular or square. This embodiment of the device 30 is intended to be fitted to the tines 20 of the basket and consequently comprises a number of holding means 35 each adapted to be fitted to one of the tines 20. The holding means 35 are arranged along the elongated member 31 and positioned at distances corresponding to the location of the tines 20. Each holding means 35 comprises a body 36 with a recess 37 shaped to fit on the tines. In this particular embodiment the recess is shaped like a circular hole 38 extending through the body 36 and the device 30 is attached to the tines 20 by slipping the holes 38 over the tines 20. The body 36 has the shape of a sleeve with a substantially circular outer periphery. The length of the body 35 along the direction of the hole 38 is within the range of 10 mm to 50 mm to be able to withstand the loads and momentum on the device from the dishing goods during extraction / retraction of the basket, and provide the required stability to the attached device 30 and the dishing goods. The body 36 is arranged in one end of a spacing member 39 extending between the body 36 and the elongated member 31. The spacing member 39 is extending substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L from the elongated member such that the elongated member 31 and the support surface 32 are arranged horizontally displaced from the body 36. The length of the spacing member 39 makes is possible to adapt the position of the support surface 32 to different types / sizes of dishing goods in order provide the best support possible. In the illustrated embodiment of the device 30, the holes 38 extend substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis L since the tines 20 of the basket that the device 30 is intended to be fitted in extend substantially vertically. However, in some baskets the tines are slightly angled and the direction of the holes must then be adapted accordingly.

In figure 3b, two devices 30 according to the invention are fitted to the tines 20 of respective row of tines 20 by sliding the holes 38 of the holding means 35 on the corresponding tines 20. The devices 30 are arranged with their respective elongated member 31 arranged on the side of the row facing away from each other. The elongated members 31 of each device are arranged substantially horizontal and parallel to the two rows of tines such that additional support surfaces are provided outside the rows of tines 20 to prevent plates etc to roll on the basket bottom. The spacing members of each holding means are arranged close to the centre of the device body such that the spacing element 39 and the elongated member 31 are vertically displaced from the basket bottom and arranged a distance above the bottom of the gasket. The raised support surfaces 32 provide a reliable support for dishing goods with a substantially circular outer periphery since they will support the dishing goods even though the periphery is curved upwards.

In figure 4a, a second embodiment of a device 40 according to the invention is illustrated. The device 40 comprises the same essential parts as the previously described embodiment but this device is intended to be fitted to the wires 21, or rods, that are forming the basket bottom instead of tines 20 extending from the bottom of the basket. The device 40 comprises a substantially straight elongated member 41 with a longitudinal axis L. The elongated member 41 has the shape of a band, or a batten, with a substantially rectangular cross section with two opposite short side edges. One of them is facing upwards and forming a dishing goods support surface 42. The support surface 42 is either substantially flat or curved, while the opposite edge of the elongated member 41 is facing downwards towards the bottom of the basket. This embodiment of the device 40 comprises a number of holding means 45 each adapted to be snap-fitted to the wires 21, or rods, that is forming the basket. The holding means 45 are arranged along the lower edge of the elongated member 41 at positions corresponding to the location of the wires 21, or rods, that are forming the bottom of the basket. Each holding means 45 comprises a body 46 with a recess 47 shaped to fit on the wires 21, or rods, of the basket. The body 46 has a C-shaped cross section with an inner diameter corresponding to the diameter of the wires 21, or rods, of the basket such that the fastening means 45 could be snap-fitted on, as well as easily removed from, the basket. The length of the body 45 along the direction of the recess 47 is also in this embodiment within the range of 10 mm to 50 mm. In this embodiment, the body 46 is arranged along the lower edge of the elongated member 41. Due to the cross sectional shape of the elongated member 41, the elongated member 41 will act as the spacing member 49 described above and displace the holding means 45 vertically from the support surface 42 arranged along the upper edge of the elongated member 41. Changing the height of the elongated member 41 makes is possible to change the position of the support surface 42 along the vertical direction and adapt the device 40 to different types of dishing goods in order provide the best support possible. In the illustrated embodiment of the device 40, openings 50 extending through the elongated member are illustrated to reduce weight and material in the device 40 and ensure that water is circulating through the basket. In figure 4b, two devices 40 according to the invention are fitted to the wires 21 of the basket. The devices 40 are arranged on opposite sides of the rows of tines

substantially horizontal and parallel to the two rows of tines such that additional support surfaces 42 are provided outside the rows of tines 20. The raised support surfaces 42 provide the desired additional support for dishing goods.

Both described embodiments of the device are intended to be arranged in the basket with the elongated member extending substantially parallel to but horizontally displaced from the rows of tines extending from the basket bottom to provide additional support for dishing goods arranged vertically between the tines. Preferably, the elongated members extend substantially horizontal parallel to the bottom but elevated a distance from the bottom to support the outer periphery of the dishing goods that is curved upwards towards the sides of the goods. The two described and illustrated embodiments of the device for preventing movements of dishing goods in a basket are designed and embodied as separate components that are intended for attachment in a dishwasher basket. The devices could however also be formed as an integrated part of the basket. Furthermore, the embodiments described above could all be combined and modified in different ways without departing from the scope of the invention that is defined by the appended claims.